We’ve seen way too many talented creatives quit because they couldn’t make it work financially. No doubt, the financial challenges of pursuing a creative or artistic career are daunting, but we felt there wasn’t enough discussion around how to make it work. So, we connected with artists and creatives who’ve been able to earn a full time living from their creative work and asked them to share their stories with our readers.
Nicholas Gascho
Yes, I’ve been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work, but it wasn’t that way from the start. Back in 2015, I entered a 60-hour film challenge, which became a turning point. At that time, I had already earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Filmmaking six years prior but struggled to find a decent job in the industry. Read More>>
Belle Chesser
I make a living in the beauty industry, which requires time, patience, and a long journey—especially at the beginning. After cosmetology school, you essentially only have the skills to pass the state board test. From there, you apprentice under an experienced stylist for six months to a year (in my case, almost a year). During that time, you make very little money, relying on tip-outs from the stylist you’re assisting. Read More>>
Macy Ruggiero
Earning a full-time living as an artist/creative is not easy! You’re always hustling and working your tail off to get the next project going, but you can channel that challenge into something exciting. My biggest word of advice to anyone trying to do full time creative work is to BE VERSATILE and willing to think outside the box! My friends have humorously given me the nickname “the side quest queen” because, up until now, I’ve always had a myriad of oddball jobs to make ends meet. Read More>>
Stefan Chippeaux
Yes I have been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work. It definitely did not start that way. It took some developing of relationships and networking. I think the biggest thing was just showing up and performing. When you get an opportunity to prove yourself, you have to knock it out of the park the first time. Read More>>
Sherry Ellis
Yes, I have been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work. But it’s not the traditional 9-5 job, or even one job. I do many things to make it work. As a musician, I teach and perform. I have a studio of about 30 violin, viola, and piano students. I also play with local orchestras and do freelance gigs, including weddings. Most of my musician work is done during weekday evenings or on weekends. Read More>>
Kelsey Taylor
It’s only in the last few years that I’ve been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work as a commercial director— and it’s something that came somewhat as a surprise— something I never counted on. Read More>>
Lilia & Bruno
Yes, we have been able to earn a living from our creative work. After founding the rock band Karkaza and experiencing many years of success, we felt called to express our Christian faith through music, so we formed this acoustic duo in 2016. Every song reflects our gratitude and faith in God, and we believe that our authenticity has allowed us to enjoy prosperous careers as professional musicians. Read More>>
Chad Young
Yes, I been able to earn a living from my creative work. Because I don’t just DJ I created my own merch, and I draw, paint went to school for graphic design. Yes, it have been like that from day one. I started DJ to help get my brothers music out to local, and worldwide. This older guy that was helping us get our music out stated to me that I was the machine already we just need help to get our music, and me DJ on bigger platforms. Read More>>
Jay Jones
At one point, yes. I was a full-time employee at an ad agency. My journey is more circuitious than most. I started out in customer service roles, then sales, then marketing. Along the way I kept finding ways to interpolate copywriting into each as I worked to get into the role of Senior Copywriter. Finally achieving it was a dream come true. I was working with some great people and doing the work I always wanted to do. Read More>>
Powerpaola
After many years of having all kinds of jobs as an immigrant (nanny, artist’s model, waitress, Kitchen assistant, elderly companion, etc.) I was able to dedicate myself completely to my creative work. I learned to survive with my own possibilities and on my own terms. Read More>>
Jared Mcfarland
As of today I can say yes I earn my living of my tattoos and other artistic means such as drawings, paintings etc. My journey started back in September of 2016 at L&G tattoos in panorama city prior to this I was working 9 to 5s anything I could to make a buck. On my days off from whatever job I was working at I would go around the valley to tattoo shops and asked if they needed an apprentice or any help of course no one needed help. Read More>>
Kayla Sullers
Earning a full-time living from my creative work didn’t happen overnight. It’s been a journey marked by passion, persistence, and learning to adapt. When I launched Beauty Beyond The Lens, it was October 2020. The world was still recovering from the impact of COVID-19, and I was halfway through my junior year of college. Read More>>
E.j. Allen
Any kind of freelance career is expected to be kind of rough starting out. For me this was no exception unfortunately! With tattooing, traditionally you complete an apprenticeship under a mentor. In most cases these will last about a year or so, some more. When I started my apprenticeship, I was still enrolled in college but I wasn’t employed anywhere else at that time. Read More>>
Jocelyn Phillips
Yes, I have absolutely been able to earn a full-time living as a solo entrepreneur and I love that the sky is the limit for how far I take this business. Working for others I always felt like my potential was “capped”, like I could only go so far and make so much money. Read More>>